John Lurie

Biography

John Richard Lurie, 14 December 1952, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA. Active in New Yorks No Wave scene in the late 70s, Lurie frequently played alto saxophone with punk jazz groups, including Pere Ubu and the Cramps. In 1978 he formed the Lounge Lizards, a band which proved to be extremely popular and durable. Interviewed after the groups first performance, Lurie used the term fake jazz to describe their music, a throwaway remark that stuck. Critics seeking to define the groups style have repeated the term and others like it, usually finding no more clarity or depth. Luries music is richly varied, its sounds ranging from coolly limpid to ferociously dramatic, sometimes within the scope of one piece. Much of the repertoire is drawn from Luries own compositions, which demonstrate his eclectic taste. Raw African roots and elegant latter-day sophistication all have their place in Luries musical concepts. He has displayed...